Sherman Oaks, L.A. – Timeless Elegance in the Heart of the Valley

Sherman Oaks provides a quiet retreat right in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. This peaceful neighborhood boasts lots of green spaces along with a wide selection of charming restaurants and shopping areas – not to mention some of the most luxurious homes and apartments north of the Hollywood Hills. Its broad boulevards and classic architecture lend a feeling of “Old L.A.” to this modern corner of town.

The area’s roots date all the way back to 1927, when the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company developed Sherman Oaks as a quiet neighborhood near the surrounding Valley hotspots. Today, it’s proved an attractive place for the city’s more affluent residents to settle down.

Who Lives in Sherman Oaks?

Like the nearby neighborhoods of Studio City and Reseda, Sherman Oaks attracts a wealth of young and middle-aged professionals, who hail from a wide variety of industries. Newer apartments and houses do tend to fall on the pricier side; but their spacious interiors and pristine surroundings make them well worth the investment.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Whether you’re a shopaholic, a foodie, or a film buff – or all the above – Sherman Oaks has got you covered. Mendocino Farms deserves every bit of the good press it gets. The succulent kurobuta pork belly banh mi (a secret menu item!) is to die for, and the rest of the enormous sandwich menu doesn’t disappoint, either.

After the sun sinks over the mountains, Sherman Oaks lights up with nighttime excitement. The Oaks Tavern provides a secluded spot to shoot pool and show off your karaoke skills. The dance floor at Hype Bar & Lounge is every bit as high-energy as those at more crowded clubs in nearby Downtown; and you’ve always got the option to slip off to a laid-back wine bar like Augustine.

Retail and Recreational Facilities

In the mood to shop? The Sherman Oaks Galleria, famous for its role in the 1982 movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” offers a wealth of high-end fashion stories and tempting eateries, as well as the rightly famous ArcLight Movie Theater, all in a breezy open-air setting that’s perfect for strolling on a lazy afternoon.

The Sherman Oaks Galleria is located at the busiest intersection in the Valley – the interchange of the 101Ventura and 405/San Diego freeways

Ventura Blvd. is lined with quirky independent shops, high-fashion boutiques, delightful coffee-houses, chic little restaurants, and office towers. It’s even home to branches of Urban Outfitters and American Vintage. And don’t miss Freakbeat Records, where you can track down those rare vinyl LPs you’ve been searching for. Ventura stretches clear across the San Fernando Valley, so you’ll never run out of fascinating spots to explore.

For a more relaxing day, head over to the Sherman Oaks Park, which features baseball diamonds, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a children’s play area, a football field, an indoor gymnasium, lighted tennis courts, and even a public swimming pool.

How Safe Is this Neighborhood?

Sherman Oaks residents generally regard the area as a safe, family-oriented neighborhood. “You can walk in Sherman Oaks during the day or at night. Take the common sense precautions you’d take walking at night in any city or town. Very few places are totally safe at night in the entire United States in this day and age. Tip: Always have your apt. key in your hand when you approach your apartment (when out at night) so you needn’t fumble around for it.[…] That tip applies no matter where you are. A few actors live in Sherman Oaks, keep your eyes open for celebrity sightings, too!” (via Yahoo)

Studies support what locals think about safety. Crime in Sherman Oaks falls significantly below the national average, with the only significant risk being property and motor vehicle theft. The less-suburban areas around Moorpark and Sepulveda tend to have higher levels of criminal activity, which isn’t much of a concern in the residential suburbs.

Transportation

Aside from easy access to the I-405, Hwy 134, and the 101 Freeway, Sherman Oaks also offers many of the San Fernando Valley stops on the L.A. Metro bus system. Metro buses can connect you with other bus lines throughout L.A.’s comprehensive transport network, or take you to the Metro Rail system, which provides swift subway transport to Hollywood, Downtown, and many other high-traffic areas of the metropolitan area.

Local Schools

A variety of private and public schools are available in Sherman Oaks. Ivy Bound Academy offers a highly acclaimed charter school experience for elite students, boasting some of the Valley’s highest elementary-school scores in math, arts, and science. Dixie Canyon Community Charter School and Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter School also consistently garner high rankings from parents and education advocates.

Real Estate and Housing Options

Homes in Sherman Oaks range from simple ranch-style and duplex properties all the way up to sprawling multi-bedroom mansions. Designs vary from sleek and upscale to rustic Spanish and Mediterranean – and everything in between.

Residences in Sherman Oaks bring luxury and convenience together

Apartments range from simple studios and one-bedrooms to luxurious penthouses; and many complexes feature amenities like pools, gyms and even concierges. Along with apartments and houses, Sherman Oaks also offers a variety of townhouses and condominiums, many of which are located just a few minutes away from the endless shopping and dining choices of vibrant Ventura Boulevard.

What you can rent in Sherman Oaks

Rent in Sherman Oaks tends to be on the lower side when compared with the city average which sits somewhere around $2,314. Average asking rent for Sherman Oaks apartments is approximately $1,883 but it’s easy to find apartments in the low $1,500s, or even lower.

The Plaza at Sherman Oaks

Rents for studio apartments within The Plaza at Sherman Oaks start at $1,575. Located in a quiet, beautifully landscaped area, the community provides the amenities of resort-style living, all while being close to everything L.A. has to offer. Residents enjoy easy access to movie theatres, hip shopping districts, European-style cafés, as well as freeways 101, 170 and 405.

The Plaza at Sherman Oaks provides cutting-edge comfort

These great homes come with spacious layouts, all-electric kitchens, and air conditioning, while the grounds offer a pristine pool, a fully-equipped fitness studio, a soothing spa, a sand volleyball court, and a 29-seat screening room. This pet-friendly community lends a subtle elegance to any L.A. lifestyle.

Sepulveda Oaks

Prepare to be amazed at Sepulveda Oaks. A stone’s throw away from the urban oasis of the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, this brand new condo-style community offers intimate boutique living for residents of all tastes. The 101 and 405 freeways are within easy reach, opening a gateway to Hollywood and West L.A.’s dazzling variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Sepulveda Oaks, a brand-new apartment community in gorgeous surroundings

Parkview Terrace Apartments

Tucked away on a quiet residential street, this newly renovated community sits just a few minutes from some of the area’s top attractions, including the Encino Golf Course. Hollywood is just a hop down the nearby 101 freeway, and Ventura Boulevard’s shopping and dining are just around the corner.

Apartments feature roomy floor plans, sleek modern appliances, and granite countertops. And the grounds of this pet-friendly complex offer a shimmering pool, gorgeous landscaping, and a top-notch fitness center.

What you can buy in Sherman Oaks

Properties in Sherman Oaks are known throughout L.A. for their spacious yards, sparkling pools, comfortable interiors, and wealth of storage space. While there’s no shortage of simple ranch houses and duplexes, it’s also easy to find Mediterranean retreats, Spanish villas, and modern architectural masterpieces.

For an example of some of the finer things Sherman Oaks has to offer, take a look at this breathtaking 9,216-square foot 6-bedroom at 3381 Stone Ridge Lane. This one-of-a-kind modern masterpiece features a sparkling pool, a lovely indoor/outdoor Koi pond, 34,000 square feet of land, and the peaceful privacy of the Stone Ridge Estates gated community.

This sprawling 6-bedroom home shows what luxury livings means in Los AngelesModern design mixes perfectly with lush landscaping and comfortable interiors in this gorgeous retreat

For renters and buyers in search of secluded luxury lifestyles, Sherman Oaks offers some of the top properties in the San Fernando Valley. Anyone hunting for a perfect place to rent in the Sherman Oaks area or other Los Angeles neighborhoods can find plenty of excellent options at www.rentcafe.com.

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About the author

Ama Otet

Ama Otet is an online content developer and creative writer for RENTCafé. She loves all things real estate and strives to live beautifully, one green step at a time. You can connect with Ama on Twitter or via email.